Region

South Caucasus

The South Caucasus – a region encompassing Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia - is one of strategic importance, not only for adjacent countries, such as Turkiye, Russia, Iran and the Central Asian states, but also for neighbours such as the European Union and the GCC states, and globally for the United States, India, China, Pakistan and Japan.

commonspace.eu team brings decades of experience of working in the South Caucasus and we are pleased to share our insights with our loyal readers through the website, and the sister newsletter, Caucasus Concise.

Editor's choice
Opinion
What role for the EU in the post-Washington South Caucasus?

What role for the EU in the post-Washington South Caucasus?

The agreements reached in the US-mediated summit of the Armenian and Azerbaijani leaders in Washington on August 8 are poised to fundamentally reshape the region's future. Particularly, the deal concerning the Zangezur corridor – rebranded as the “Trump Route for Peace and Prosperity” (TRIPP) – holds significant geopolitical importance. If implemented, the TRIPP agreement would deal a severe blow to the regional standing of Russia and Iran. More importantly, it would pave the way for a strategic U.S. presence in this critical geography. This outcome represents a success that few would have predicted for the United States, especially for the Trump administration, given the region's notoriously complex and volatile geopolitics.
Editor's choice
Analysis
Despite disillusionment, Pashinyan favourite to win crucial 2026 vote in Armenia

Despite disillusionment, Pashinyan favourite to win crucial 2026 vote in Armenia

Next year’s parliamentary elections in Armenia will not focus on the economy or other domestic issues, but rather on the country’s place in the surrounding region and relations with its neighbours. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, down but not out following military defeat and political upheaval, has staked his future on reaching what would prove to be a historic peace agreement with Azerbaijan. But with public trust at an all-time low, disillusionment among the electorate could make this the most unpredictable vote since independence was declared in 1991. Armenia will hold parliamentary elections on 7 June 2026, its first regularly scheduled national vote since April 2017. In this analysis for commonspace.eu, Onnik James Krikorian argues that "ten months before the vote, the outcome still remains difficult to predict. Though it still seems most likely that the incumbent will win, a great deal will also be determined during the official campaign period itself, and new developments on the ground. If peace with Azerbaijan is finally within reach, and there are signs that this is the case, it will be difficult for voters to reject stability instead of insecurity and the further risk of war. Ultimately, the 2026 election will determine not just who governs Armenia, but whether the country can finally emerge from decades of conflict and semi-regional isolation, or if it is destined to remain trapped by it." He adds, "that might prove enough to sway even reluctant support for Pashinian at the ballot box. The opposition has still yet to offer any viable alternative – or even one at all."

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Editor's choice
Ex-foreign minister of Karabakh: Turkey may initiate military actions in Karabakh conflict zone, trying to trouble Russia
Ex-foreign minister of Karabakh: Turkey may initiate military actions in Karabakh conflict zone, trying to trouble Russia

Ex-foreign minister of Karabakh: Turkey may initiate military actions in Karabakh conflict zone, trying to trouble Russia

Armenia should not sit on the sidelines and vaunt over the worsening of Russian-Turkish relations or mistakably suppose that the aggravation of these relations will be in Yerevan's favor, ex-foreign minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Arman Melikyan said at a press conference.
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Military expert: Combat characteristics of S-300 complexes in case of their dislocation in Syunik province allow covering Karabakh's air space
Military expert: Combat characteristics of S-300 complexes in case of their dislocation in Syunik province allow covering Karabakh's air space

Military expert: Combat characteristics of S-300 complexes in case of their dislocation in Syunik province allow covering Karabakh's air space

The combat characteristics of S-300 complexes in case of their dislocation in Syunik region allow covering the air space of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic, military expert Arkady Grigoryan told ArmInfo when commenting on the publication of the US-based open-source military analysis IMINT & Analysis.
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Vardan Oskanyan officially accused of money laundering
Vardan Oskanyan officially accused of money laundering

Vardan Oskanyan officially accused of money laundering

Ex-foreign minister of Armenia, parliamentarian from Prosperous Armenia Party Vardan Oskanyan is accused of money laundering and misappropriation basing on Articles 179 and 190 of the Criminal Code of Armenia.
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Vartan Oskanian is not going to bear witness to National Security Service about money laundering case
Vartan Oskanian is not going to bear witness to National Security Service about money laundering case

Vartan Oskanian is not going to bear witness to National Security Service about money laundering case

Ex-foreign minister of Armenia, a deputy from the Prosperous Armenia Party, Vartan Oskanian, said at his Facebook page that he is not going to bear witness to National Security Service about the case on money laundering by the Civilitas Foundation set up by him.
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Karabakh peace process to be discussed at 13th meeting of Armenia-EU Cooperation Committee
Karabakh peace process to be discussed at 13th meeting of Armenia-EU Cooperation Committee

Karabakh peace process to be discussed at 13th meeting of Armenia-EU Cooperation Committee

Minister of Economy Tigran Davtyan is the Armenian Co-Chair of the Committee. Gunnar Wiegand, Director Russia, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, Regional Co-operation and OSCE, European External Action Service, is the European Co-Chair.